Ahh, Sewing

As a business woman I have crossed a line between working on Quick Books all the time and learning it enough to actually have some time to sew too!   Let's give a big hooray!

Back for More

Seems like ages since I posted last.  This broken ankle is finally healing and I'm getting back to most of my old routines.  It will take four more weeks to get back to 100% function.  Can't wait for that!

Here are a few quilts that have been made recently for the store and for our home.

Joyce made this store sample from the pattern "Just Can't Cut It" ...

The next piece was made from a fabric from Nairobi, Kenya.  Marybeth from Cambridge Lane quilted it for us and it now hangs in our house...

Last, but not least, is my "Wildflower Garden" piece--hand-dyed by me and quilted by Marybeth.  We won an Honorable Mention ribbon for it this month.

Sewing Again

I've been sewing this weekend after a long hiatus.  Owning a first-year quilt store has put a bit of a cramp in my sewing schedule, but my broken ankle made that worse.   At last, I have a cast that can come off and I can use that foot to drive my car and sewing machine again.   Woohoo!

I'm using a Tonga Treat 5" Mini pre-cut batik set to make a sample for Sewcial Studio.  My inspiration came from the Summer 2012 issue of Generation Q Magazine.  Click here for a link to the pattern.  Their pattern uses 7 1/2" blocks, but mine will be smaller.

Here's what's on my makeshift design wall...

I need more background fabric before continuing, but I like it so far!

Wild Ride

So far December has been a wild ride around here.   Bill had surgery a couple of weeks ago and the day after he got out of the hospital, I fell and broke my ankle.  Bill is healing slowly, but it will be January before he's back to his old self.   I'll be in a cast for at least 12 weeks.  Oy, oy.

It's not exactly what we had hoped for since our two sons and Bill's sister will arrive soon for the holidays, but we're making lemonade out of lemons!   We're both nicely rested up for visitors, and friends have been wonderfully kind and helpful.

Joyce, Marybeth and Mary Ann have been running Sewcial Studio when Bill can't be there.  Next week I hope to be able to work in the shop again with a handsome chauffeur to get me there.   (Right ankle = no driving)

I've been able to do a little work on the quilt book I'm writing, and I'm working on this store sample project at home...

The magazine is the first or second issue of Generation Q, and this is a lovely, modern baby quilt (photo on right page of mag.).  I'm using a mini-Tonga set of 5" batik squares and a light taupe background fabric from Northcott. 

Earlier this month, Marybeth and I handed over an indigo commission quilt that we worked on together.  This photo was taken before it was quilted...

The indigo colors are much prettier in person.

All the best to you and yours during this holiday season.  May you be rested and may your home be warmed by friends and family.

Anita

Black Friday

It's that time again...Black Friday, when stores are stocked and waiting for us to visit.  I'm not one to shop at 4:00 am for a deal but this morning I was tempted since there was a $200 Janome sewing machine on sale for $79 before 9:00 am and $99 after 9:00.  

Alas, I already have 6 machines and 4 of those are sewing machines.  It's time to pass on one of these machines, so if you know of anyone near Athens, GA who needs a machine, please let me know.  The one I'm offering works well and is in very good condition, but it's not electronic and needs oiling regularly (I can give instruction if necessary).

We did some holiday decorating at Sewcial Studio this week with gold garland and holly berries from our trees.  I also rearranged the hand-dyed fabric case...

We had lots of curtain spring rods from our house in Florida and they came in handy for displaying  the fabric.  Looks much better than the towers of stacked fabric I had last week.

Can't see the garland too well, but it's there.  We also put all of our quilt patterns in one rack (left in photo).   I just love rearranging and making things more efficient!

Enjoy your long weekend!

Anita

Creative Juice

I'm sitting today in my lovely studio with soft music playing and plenty of fun things to do.  I have a commission quilt in progress, plans in my head for holiday decorating, some beading ideas, and new ideas for quilts (modern and other). 

Yesterday I made a new curtain for my eyesore broom closet out of a hand dyed fabric and a lovely Northcott fabric...

It's not exactly a "closet"; it's more of wasted corner space that I have made into a useful space.  Bill cut a dowel long enough to hold the curtain and it sits on top of the fabric shelves.

Bill made this great shelf for holding more fabric bolts.  It sits under the cutting table and it's the first thing folks see when they walk in the door. 

 We also brought in one of our vendor booth displays to hold scarves, table runners and ornaments for the holiday season...

Our neighbor Laurel from Stitch Craft visited recently and she brouht in her lovely aprons for us to admire...

 Great holiday apron!

These are made with dress shirts!  Laurel turns re-usabe fabric into lovely items;  she also does alterations, makes quilts, re-covers cushions and much more.

It's inspiring to have so many creative folks around us.

Autumn Projects

This week I've been putting together an indigo quilt with some of my hand-dyed fabric and favorite Indonesian and Japanese indigo fabrics.  Marybeth Tawfik quilted it yesterday and today I'm sewing on the binding.  The happy couple is getting married Sunday and I was trying to make a gift that would not be too manly and not too girly.

Do you think they'll like it?

This week we sent an application to be vendors at the Dallas Quilt Show in March of 2013.  Let's hope that they send a quick response, as I'm very excited about seeing that show!

Sewcial Studio received several boxes of new fabric this week, like these reds & blacks  (UGA colors)...

 ...and our first "dress" fabric--this lovely 54" voile fabric from Art Gallery Fabrics.

But the best box of all held fabrics that I have dreamed about for years and could never find--Northcott's premium quilting cotton, smooth, silky slightly thinner than traditional quilting cotton.  It is heaven on Earth to a fabric fanatic like me.

I dug out all of my blouse patterns to see what will work with these.  Yummmm!

Time to work on some details of a new online store for our website...

Anita